Don't Fence Me In

My great-grandmother's family were West Texas ranchers and she had some amazing stories about when the fence came to the open range country of Texas.  Apparently there were some pretty huge fence fights back in those days of cattle drives to market.  Putting up a fence on your own property could be a deadly proposition.  Not for the cattle.  For YOU, the property owner.

My how times have changed when it comes to how we use a fence today and where we find them.  Back in the day it was seriously a don't fence me in attitude that prevailed.  But property protection, much of it for grazing rights to one's own herd of cattle or sheep, was the primary motivating factor for fence building.  Cedar posts from native trees were planted in the hard dirt and barbed wire was strung as some of the first styles of fence to dot the landscape.

Do Fence Me In

Today, having a fence is commonplace whether you're in the country or one of the major metropolitan areas.  Go into almost any neighborhood and you're going to see just about every backyard with some sort of fence.  Most municipalities have been forced to enact strict code requirements for fence placement to protect everyone's property values and keep some sort of standard for appearance and drive up appeal.

Protection and privacy are given as two of the biggest motivators for installing a fence today.  And it's not only about protecting children from the street or strangers so they can have a safe place to play and be outdoors, a fence also provides a safe place and enclosure for pets.  While privacy is important particularly for those with swimming pools, so is safety.  Quite a number of municipalities require some sort of fence within a fence that surrounds the pool area.  I've seen lots of backyards in our city that have wooden fences and then either iron or chain-link fencing around the pool even inside the enclosed wooden fenced area.

Fence Types

Electronic fences have seriously come of age in the last decade.  Mainly for pet confinement in more open yards, these invisible perimeter fences are pretty amazing and work when installed correctly.  On the farm or ranch, electric fences have been used for years.  These are different than the electronic ones I mentioned in that electric fences are visible with a current running through a metal conducting line strung from pole to pole.  Charged, it gives a shock to larger animals that keeps them within the bounds that you've strung this fence and you want them to stay.

Most people are familiar with a more traditional wood fence.  Stone fences are making a comeback in some areas.  These are generally quite a bit more costly than other options.  Another style that is making a comeback in some areas that had its beginnings in Europe as hedgerows is what we now refer to as living fences.  I have seen several options of this both with and without a chain-link fence installed for added functionality.  Then plants are planted along the fence or invisible line to grow into a barrier.  Typically, evergreen plants are used such as bamboo, holly, or some sort of cedar.  But I have also seen vines used to do the trick.  In climates that permit, a bougainvillaea living fence can be absolutely stunning!

How to Build a Fence Part 1 - The Home Depot

If you are rebuilding or putting one in for the first time, I suggest you take some time and find out all the options available to you before you start your fence project.